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Don't Let It Slide: Winter Driving Safety

Every winter, people are injured or killed because they are unprepared or overconfident on snow-covered, slippery highways. Even if you are a veteran driver from a state like Missouri and don't give venturing out in a blizzard a second thought, keeping these safety tips fresh in your mind can keep you on the road and in control. If you do live in the Metro St. Louis area, Car Craft Auto Body in Bridgeton, Missouri would particularly like for you to think about these tips:

Make certain you and your automobile are adequately equipped

Before you set out on a wintry journey, even if it is merely short drive to the grocery store, keep the following items in mind.

Make certain that your car or truck has sufficient antifreeze, the windshield is clean, and you have plenty of windshield washer fluid.

Test to be certain the headlights are clean and in working order.

Affirm that the tires have tread and are properly inflated.

Have your battery tested, to prevent being stranded in the cold with an automobile that will not start.

Equip your car with a flashlight and extra batteries, a first aid kit, warm clothing, and a blanket.

Remember to have sunglasses in the vehicle, because the glare of the sun off of snow and ice can be more intense in the wintertime than it is during the summer time.

Maybe the most important of all: Remember your cell phone, so you are able to call if needed.

Decelerate and drive smoothly

Driving too quickly is the primary cause of accidents in cold weather conditions. Even if you're driving an SUV or a four-wheel-drive vehicle, you simply can not safely do eighty miles per hour in a snowstorm. Regardless of the car, how you drive can prevent accidents.

Avoid unexpected acceleration, braking, and unneeded lane changes. These maneuvers may cause your vehicle to lose traction and could launch you into an unrestrained skid, resulting in a collision .

Four-wheel-drive may help your vehicle get started in the slushy stuff, however it's of no use when you're trying to steer or safely stop on a slippery road surface.

Have patience and acknowledge the reality that it is going to take longer to reach your destination.

Do not tailgate

Tailgating regularly brings about accidents, notably if you are driving in stop-and-go traffic like what's often witnessed in Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, and St. Louis County. You might think that the motorist in front of you doing 35 miles per hour on the freeway is going too slow and could use reminder in the form of you riding their bumper, but doing so is unsafe.

Be patient and stay well behind the driver in front of you until it is safe to pass.

It is essential to remember that it takes a considerably longer distance to stop your vehicle in the snow or ice due to the reduced traction, even with only a mild covering on the road.

Needing to handle a fender bender on a busy road in snow is undoubtedly something which you want to avoid, particularly if other cars are sliding around as well.

Many serious accident injuries come from a second impact from an additional car after seemingly trivial collision.

Avoid using cruise control

Driving with cruise control is almost second nature. Sure, it prevents you from getting leg fatigue, keeps you from unknowingly driving too fast, and is fantastic on lengthy trips, but driving with it on in winter conditions may be unsafe.

If cruise control has turned into staple of your driving habits, make a conscious effort to ensure that you aren't using it in winter weather.

Making use of cruise control in the snow, ice, or even rain is hazardous because if your vehicle hydroplanes or skids, the automobile can speed up and spin the wheels, attempting to maintain a constant speed.

If you hydroplane with cruise control on, it will be more likely that you lose control of your car.

Pull over or stay home

Do not forget, there is no shame in deciding to make the logical decision to stay in whenever the conditions are dangerous. You might be late arriving to your destination, but showing up late in one piece is much better than the alternative.

If you're able to delay your trip, or if it is non-essential, stay in when the weather conditions are really bad.

If at any time during your trip you think that the weather conditions are too terrible to continue driving, simply stay put.

If you're out on the road, look for a safe spot to pull over and wait until the weather passes or calms enough where you feel comfortable driving again.

If driving in bad weather conditions is fatiguing, change drivers before you get tired.

Even if you take every safety precaution, accidents still happen. If you are in an accident in the Bridgeton, MO area, contact Car Craft Auto Body and they'll send a tow truck, arrange for a rental car , and repair your vehicle with the highest-quality repair service.

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Winter Driving Safety To Avoid Auto Body Damage This Christmas

There are a ton of things you can expect to deal with this Christmas time. No, I am not speaking about long lines at the store, peculiar relatives, and crossing reindeer. I am referring to the risks of winter driving. As you go over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house this holiday season, you should take the necessary precautions to make sure that you and your loved ones make it there safely. This time of year is not the same as other times of year as far as road conditions are concerned. You need to deal with ice, snow, low visibility, traffic, and so much more. The very best thing you can do ahead of time is to ready your automobile for the hard journey you will take. If not, you may end up at an auto body shop in Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, or St. Louis County this Christmas. This information from Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO will really help you get a great start this holiday season.

If you intend to drive in cold weather, you may not know exactly what that may do to your battery. Cold weather has a tendency to deplete the strength of a weak battery. You can go to a lot of auto body shops and auto parts stores to have your battery checked. If you do not have your battery tested, winter may put it through its own strenuous testing. Obviously, whenever winter tests your batteries, you will not just be out a bit of money. You will be stranded in a parking lot somewhere having to either bum a ride from a friend or else walk through a winter wonderland all the way to the closest auto body shop.

Visibility is an important part of driving safely in the winter season as well. The very first thing that you ought to do is visit an auto body shop in Bridgeton, MO for headlight restoration. That will help you clear up some of the visibility problems you might have at night. You can also help visibility problems by making sure that your windshield wipers remain in good working order. They were certainly not created to break ice or shove off huge amounts of snow, so make certain that you have an ice scraper and snow brush available to deal with that before hitting the trail. Just start up the car to get it warming up and scrape to your heart's content. Making sure that you have enough windshield wiper fluid is a must too. That can help you with a lot of the muck and such that you will encounter on your trip to grandma's house, whether or not she lives in Saint Louis or the neighboring area.

Windshield wiper fluid is not the only fluid you need to be concerned about before you hit the trail. You need to make certain that all of your fluids are topped off before hitting the road for any prolonged trip. Of course, oil is the biggest one to keep in mind. Even if you have not hit that three thousand mile mark yet, have a quick glimpse at it to make certain you do not have some oil that dripped or oil that is discolored. If you have oil that is discolored or any other discolored fluid, the best thing you can do is to take it to a mechanic before you take your long road trip. Discolored oil puts you on the fast lane to absolute engine failure. Despite the fact that it is winter, ensure you have adequate coolant in your engine too. You should have water blended in with your antifreeze on a half-and-half ratio.

Your tires are also an integral part of making sure your car is roadworthy this Christmas. No matter if you are traveling in Saint Louis or anyplace else, it is very important to have tires with adequate pressure and tread. The owner's manual and the sticker on the interior panel of the driver's door ought to tell you how much pressure you need to have inside your tires, generally thirty or thirty-five PSI. Winter makes the air within your tires contract, so it is especially important at this time to assess your tires' pressure. You can look at your tires' tread just by sticking a penny in between the treads with Abraham Lincoln's head sticking downward. If you can see the top of Abe's head, you will know that your tread is too low. Simply have them replaced and you are going to be a huge step closer to being prepared for driving on slippery wintertime roads.

Regardless of how prepared you believe you are, accidents happen to even the very best of us. You really should take that into consideration in advance by assembling an emergency kit to keep in your automobile at all times. Here are a few ideas to get you started assembling a kit to meet your needs.

Hat, gloves, and warm coat

Blanket

Flashlight

First aid kit

Flares

Sand, carpet strips, or something else to offer you traction whenever you are stuck

Ice scraper

Shovel

Tire-changing equipment

Spare tire

Jumper cables

You might have other things which you need to pack that is personal to you, like extra medicine or something such as that, but this will give you a good place to start with your preparations.

As you think about that lengthy trip this Christmas, take the needed steps to prepare your car so that you can concentrate on making your holiday merry and bright instead of focusing on "walking in a winter wonderland" to the closest auto body shop. If you are looking for a proficient mechanic in Bridgeton, MO, please consider taking your vehicle to Car Craft Bridgeton. They can get your vehicle prepared to face the tough conditions of winter driving.

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Fall-ing For Autumn Driving Safety

Whether or not you are driving a vehicle on an open country road or a cramped city street in Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, or St. Louis County, fall may be a very hazardous time to travel. Most people think of winter when they think about driving dangers, but the incorrect combination of bad conditions might cause you catastrophic auto body damage. The good news is, it is easy to prepare yourself for these conditions with simply a little bit of know-how. Please pay close attention to these tips from your friends at Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO.

Obviously, there are a great deal of people out and about around this time of year. Children are back in school, for one thing. Please be really conscious of this fact, especially in the early mornings and afternoons where kids are most likely to be walking to school or their bus stop. Do not forget to decelerate when you find yourself in school zones. Aside from young children, you ought to also be mindful of the many people who will be out jogging or walking. It might be a little bit too chilly in Bridgeton, MO for most joggers, but there is nevertheless a mild day every once in a while. Bear in mind this possibility and also the possibility that a less-than-smart jogger may have headphones on and not be able to hear your automobile.

This problem is only intensified by the fact that we are dropping more and more sunlight. You are much more likely to have to drive around in the dark. While jogging at night is a really bad idea, there is most likely someone out there who is unintelligent enough to do it. Recognize that and act appropriately alert. Having your headlights in tip top shape through headlight restoration in Bridgeton, MO is the best way to be prepped to drive in the dark. Much more so than darkness, you must be conscious of the sun being right in your face around dawn and dusk. Those are the times that your visibility will actually be the lowest. Make sure you have sunglasses to help you get over this problem and stay clear of car body repair.

Another visibility issue to watch out for at dawn and dusk is fogginess. This is very common around this time of year because of the rapid temperature changes. Make sure that you are taking it slow and following good fog driving procedure. Avoid driving when you know fog will be prevalent. The change in weather may also lead to really fierce rainstorms that appear out of nowhere fast. When those storms douse the roadways with water, fallen leaves can rot within the water and create really dangerously slick spots. Do not think that winter is the only time your vehicle could lose control. Sadly, dry leaves may be just as hazardous as wet leaves. If you park on a heap of very dry leaves, your catalytic converter might actually spark a fire and potentially cause great damage to your automobile or maybe a forest fire.

If you have followed our releases for a long time, you have undoubtedly heard about the danger of deer on the roadways of Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, and St. Louis County. During the autumn months, deer are particularly active because it is their mating season. Because of this, keep alert an especially great deal in deer crossing areas. Even if you observe a deer that has already gone across the road, decelerate significantly because there are most likely more of his friends behind him. If you do strike a deer, do not go out to look at him. Deer which have been hurt are exceptionally likely to attack if approached.

Ultimately, the trick to safe driving during the autumn months is the same as any other season: mindful attention and safe speeds are the way to go. Nevertheless, even the most careful and attentive driver can wind up with auto body damage in Bridgeton, Missouri if put in a rough situation. If you find yourself in need of auto body repair, please look at taking your car to Car Craft Bridgeton. They have assisted thousands of motorists who need help dealing with the aftermath of dangerous driving conditions in autumn.

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An Auto Body Shop’s Take On The Autumn Tune-Up

Fall is well underway here in Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, and St. Louis County, which implies a bunch of things. Of course, I am not just speaking about cooler weather and pumpkin pie. It also means that it is time to make your car ready for the cold months of late autumn and winter. You might be thinking that you can wait a while since the weather has not turned hazardously cold yet, but that would be a blunder. To start with, that would be a problem since it is never too soon to get ready to drive safely so you do not end up needing an auto body shop in Bridgeton, MO. Second, why wait until it is cold outside before you get out there and start working on your automobile? Are you one of those folks who put up their Christmas lights in October? While that might look really silly, it can make things much easier in the future when other individuals have to climb up ladders and affix lights while their fingers feel like they are falling off. Getting your vehicle readied for winter driving is the exact same thing with the exception of the fact that it does not look goofy in any way.

So, do not wait until it is too late. Take these measures to get your vehicle ready to roll on those late fall cool mornings. These tips are provided by Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO.

Replace and Refill

There certainly are certain things in your vehicle that will wear and certain fluids that have to be replenished. Definitely, you will want to change the oil on your automobile in preparation for winter. While you are doing that, do not forget to change the oil filter as well. You should be replacing the oil filter each time you change the oil. You would also do well to look at the air filter as well. If that gets too dirty, your automobile will have to work too hard in order to have proper airflow. Luckily, there is an easy way to check for whether your air filter needs replacing. Merely hold it up to a sixty watt lightbulb and see if the light makes it through. Otherwise, it is time for you to get a new air filter.

Nothing is so annoying and can send you to an auto body shop faster than fluids which are not filled. Undoubtedly, oil is the big one here. Nonetheless, there are other fluids to consider as well. Take a look at the coolant amounts when the motor is cool and refill it to the optimal level with a half and half solution of water and coolant. This will be a wonderful help to you when the weather gets cold. Likewise, be sure to take a look at the transmission fluid, the brake fluid, the power steering fluid, and the washer fluid. Performing a simple look-over with all of these things is the most convenient way to keep your car healthy.

Dings and Dents

While you are looking over your vehicle, it is the most ideal time to examine the exterior for any imperfections. Most small dents can be conveniently fixed through paintless dent repair at Car Craft Bridgeton. Larger dents and scratches which pierce the paint are all the more urgent to be repaired. The dampness and saltiness on the roads during winter will feast upon your automobile if you do not have those dents and scratches fixed. The very best way to spot those kinds of blemishes is to totally wash your vehicle and give it a thorough inspection.

While you are checking your car's exterior, take a look at the lights. Ensure that all of them are functional, from the parking lights and brake lights to the headlights, taillights, and emergency flashers. Check out your high beams too. Certainly, be sure to fix all the lights which are not working, either by replacing the bulb if that is what is needed or by digging into the wiring if necessary. You should also explore the possibility of going to an auto body shop in Bridgeton, MO with headlight restoration capabilities. They can clear up your headlights for a low cost and immensely improve your visibility.

Brakes, Breaks, and Batteries

When the weather gets cold and the weather gets inclement, the first line of defense of your vehicle is the tires and brakes. If your tires look worn or the wear bars show, have them replaced. If your brakes are squealing, have them looked into too. As the weather gets colder and colder, your tire pressure will inevitably reduce, so have that topped off routinely. If your heater is broken, that is something to look at as well. You need to have a working defroster system to keep safe when driving.

Batteries are something that lots of people overlook whenever they are prepping their automobile for winter, However, that would be a significant mistake. It is highly advisable to have the battery and charging system inspected by an auto body technician. Before you even do that, you might be able to tell if your battery will have to be replaced by looking for corrosion anywhere in the battery system. If the weather is cold, your battery is especially susceptible to going dead.

To close out your fall tune-up, just have a glance beneath the hood and simply look around for anything questionable. Leaks are a really obvious sign that something has to be repaired. Likewise, fraying hoses, cracks, or loose clamps will also have to be addressed. Have a look at the drive belts too and listen closely for any unexplained engine noises. If you have any complications in this regard, take your vehicle to an auto body shop to get it looked at.

Car Craft Bridgeton has been helping drivers in Bridgeton, MO get ready for the cold months of wintertime for many years. If you require mechanical work, headlight restoration, auto body repair, or any other work on your automobile, think about taking it to their auto body shop.

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Fog Driving Safety Tips

Driving in fog is considered to be the most dangerous weather hazard, particularly when it's exceptionally dense fog or accompanied by other unfavorable weather conditions. Foggy conditions are the number one cause of big multi-car pile ups. However, there are things you can do to lower your risk of an auto accident. The following tips, offered by Car Craft Bridgeton, will help you to be safer on foggy Bridgeton, MO streets.

Slow It Down

Inside dense fog, a very alarming thing happens to individuals as they're driving. They unknowingly accelerate! Needless to say, we are all aware that speeding up in fog is the worst thing to do, but fog makes an optical illusion. As you look out your car window, your body perceives that you're driving really slow. Since the majority of individuals become anxious in fog, they do not look down at their speedometer. Over time, they start going faster and faster. This is definitely the most hazardous aspect of driving in fog. Make a mindful effort to glance at your speedometer every now and then. There is a good chance you keep accelerating, without knowing it!

Keep It Straight

When driving a vehicle in fog in the St. Louis area, it is a good idea to follow the lines on the road with your eyes. This is the best way to make sure you stay in your lane. Drivers are normally drawn to lights, and instinctively, will steer toward lights. So it is far better to watch the lines to be certain you are driving within your lane. Just be sure you aren't fixating. Keep your eyes moving.

Follow Them Far

A secure following distance is a must in fog. Most drivers tend to "bunch up" in foggy conditions simply because they feel it's easier to see. Traveling in fog is scary, but now isn't the time to follow too close. That is one of the big reasons large pile-up's take place.

Keep Them On

Always keep your headlights on when you're driving any vehicle in foggy conditions to avoid a nasty auto body repair bill. Your daytime running lights aren't enough. Many people turn their lights off as they feel their headlights are blinding them from reflecting off the fog, but you essentially become a "ghost car" when this happens. Your headlights aren't to help you to see better, it is so others can see you! If your car is equipped with fog lights, use those too. When driving in fog, it's extremely important to stay visible to others.

Keep Them Low

You should never use your high beam headlights in foggy conditions. Your high beam headlights reflect off of the water vapor and in fact reduce your visibility. You might feel that your low beam headlights are doing the exact same thing, but again, keep them on. It is the very best way for you to be noticed.

When It's Time To Stop

Occasionally, foggy conditions become too thick to drive safely. If you are exceeding your comfort zone, it might be best to stop until the fog lifts. Just remember – this is an extremely risky situation! If you cannot see, neither can anybody else. Try to get as far off the road as you can. Pull in a driveway, parking area, rest area, side street, or any other place where you can get out of heavy traffic flow. But if the roadway shoulder is your only option, pull way over. Go into the grass if required. If there's a curb, drive over it and park on the opposite side of the curb. Stay buckled up and turn your lights off! If you leave your lights on, people might think you are driving your car on the roadway and rear-end you. Make sure your foot is off of the brake pedal, and don't use your flashers. Keep all your lights off. If there's shelter nearby, try to get there quickly. Otherwise, stay within your car or truck and remain buckled up.

Dense fog usually does not last a very long time. The fog may not totally disappear, but stopping for a while should buy you some time and allow the fog to lift a bit. Dense fog tends to migrate from area to area, unless you are in a valley where fog tends to settle. If the fog just worsens while you are parked, stay put. It is not worth taking chances with your life to go on. But don't forget, when traveling in fog, stopping on the shoulder of the road must be a last resort!

Heavy Fog Doesn't Last Long

Under most "normal" weather conditions, dense fog is short-lived. Typically, you will encounter small patches of dense fog on mountain valleys, peaks, near wet open fields, and in the vicinity of bodies of water like streams, rivers, and lakes. Whenever the atmosphere is very humid, you may even get spots of fog that appear to roll from one place to another. In the worst conditions, normally taking place at night or during early morning hours, the fog can be quite dense and cover a span of many miles. This is the most dangerous condition and is normally cautioned by fog advisories or warnings from the National Weather Service. Whenever fog warnings or advisories are issued, simply don't drive (this is particularly true during fog warnings). It does not matter how great you and the other drivers on the roadway are, if you can't see, you can't possibly drive safely.

If you do end up having any sort of accident in foggy conditions, think about taking your car to Car Craft Bridgeton for Saint Louis collision repair. They serve men and women all over Bridgeton, Florissant, Maryland Heights, and St. Louis County with premium auto body repairs.

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Are You Being Ripped Off On Collision Repair?

The old problems still rings true today: just how do I know if my Bridgeton, MO auto body repair shop is trying to exploit me? It is undeniably a substantiated concern. Auto body mechanics pull the wool over the eyes of their customers all the time. If you do not know a great deal about car repair, and you most likely do not if you are taking your automobile to someone else to get it taken care of, you may want some help navigating the troubled waters of auto body repair. To assist you with this, Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, Missouri has listed some of the biggest lines they hear from less-than-reputable collision repair facilities in the Saint Louis, Missouri area.

The Saboteur

If you end up needing to go back to the auto body shop to get the same thing repaired over and over again, the problem is most likely not your automobile. Most of the time, the real problem is that the auto body shop you are visiting is either putting in bad parts or they are putting the parts in incorrectly. Often you can find information about problems that are prevalent with your vehicle's make and model by exploring the web. If you smell a rat, you should probably get another auto body shop.

The Problem Inventor

If the auto mechanic does not know exactly what they are doing, he may try something, charge you for it, than try something else and charge you for that. Obviously, that is not a good way to do business. Aside from that, it is unfair to the customer having to pay for all of these unnecessary "repairs." Also, it deserves pointing out that a misdiagnosis can happen to the very best of us. Even the auto body mechanics at Car Craft Bridgeton goof every now and then. Nevertheless, whenever that happens, your auto body shop should be willing to write off or at least discount the misdiagnosed repair. If the auto mechanic gets it wrong more than once, you are either dealing with an unskilled mechanic or a willfully deceitful mechanic. In either scenario, it is time to take your business elsewhere.

The Dilemma Dealer

Among the most popular myths of auto body repair is that you have no choices about where to take your vehicle for repair. Most commonly, dealers will try to tell you that they are the only place you can go. That is simply not true. In reality, the only times when you are required to go to the dealer are for repairs under warranty and for recalls. Anything else is fair game for another auto body shop if that is where you would like to go. In fact, dealers are usually far more highly-priced than your neighborhood mechanics' shop. Do not assume that dealerships always do a better job either.

Price-Inflator

Here's the classic. Sometimes auto body mechanics may merely jack up the price of the repair they plan to do on your car. Of course, this may be difficult to detect if you do not know the business. After all, to those that do not know the industry, all auto body repair costs can seem high no matter how sensible the price is. The question then becomes how to know whenever it is taking place. Granted, several of the top-of-the-line auto body shops are going to charge a little extra for some added amenities. Nevertheless, you should not see differences of more than perhaps ten or fifteen percent from one reputable auto body shop to the next. Once you have an estimate from your auto body shop of preference, call around to other repair shops and ask what they would bill for the same work. Obviously, you have to have the ability to explain the issue to the other shops to make this work. However, a reputable auto body repair shop should give a comprehensive description with their diagnosis anyway.

The Alarmist

Some auto mechanics like to push you into getting your automobile fixed by telling you that your car will blow up if you do not get it repaired right this second. Okay, maybe they do not lay it on that thick, but the basic principle rings true nonetheless. Do not let that kind of pressure affect you. Granted, there are some malfunctions which will become worse over time. However, you should never be rushed beyond the point of making an informed choice about where you get your automobile repaired and when to do so. These are often the same people who will attempt to bill you for extra things that do not need to be repaired.

As auto body mechanics themselves, the individuals at Car Craft Bridgeton want to point out that not every mechanic in Bridgeton, MO and neighboring communities like Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO are crooked. In fact, a lot of them are fine upstanding people who just want to make an honest living. Nevertheless, customers should always be on the alert for those mechanics who give the rest of them a bad name. If you are uncertain about your mechanic's integrity or you just want to have your vehicle repaired, contact Car Craft Bridgeton.

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Leaving A Bad Impression: Auto Body Dents and Auto Glass Cracks From Hail

Last year, the people of Bridgeton, MO experienced hail destruction on a huge scale. In the course of one hail storm in May, softball-size hail came down upon the homes and vehicles of Saint Louis residents. This should come as no surprise because Missouri is consistently ranked as the fifth-worst state for hailstorms. Undoubtedly, this is a large problem. Therefore, the hail damage experts at Car Craft Bridgeton have the following information for you pertaining to how hail damage can impact your vehicle. The two main kinds of hail damage we observe are auto body dents and auto glass damage.

Auto body dents are a pain in numerous ways. First and most clearly, dents help make your automobile look like a heap of junk. There is no getting around it. Your otherwise shining and well-kept auto will not appear as good if hail damage has affected it. To put it simply, hail is going to give your vehicle a bad impression. Second, hail damage will reduce the resale value of your car. Unless you intend to keep your car until it truly is a pile of garbage, you will need to sell your vehicle at some point. Whenever you do, hail damage is actually going to influence just how much cash you can get for it. The best thing you can do is to get it fixed. The third problem with auto body dents is that, because dents are frequently on the top of your automobile. Although this might look like an advantage due to the lack of visibility, it also generates a large problem. Those grooves on top of your vehicle will accumulate water every time it rains. When those pools of moisture sit dormant for so long, they are going to inevitably become rust. That is why it is vital that you get your auto body dents repaired as soon as possible.

The second type of hail damage on Bridgeton, Missouri cars is auto glass damages. If the glass breaks, the solution is extremely easy: you need to switch out the glass. Nevertheless, whenever the glass merely cracks, folks try all sorts of home remedies from the web to stop the crack or cracks from dispersing. Regrettably, these attempts are so typically fruitless. The most popular fix is to pour some kind of adhesive along the crack, such as nail polish or superglue.

The issue is that these chemicals simply will not bond to glass. In order for anything to adhere to glass, it has to be able to seep into the microscopic pores of glass. In order to avoid this issue, folks are going to frequently turn to low-cost auto glass repair kits which you can get from your local automobile parts store. The issue with that idea is that these kits normally are of a poor quality and create big smudges on your window. These too may not even prevent the spread of an auto glass crack. Some individuals then turn to even more drastic measures, such as scoring their window. This scheme consists of deliberately cracking your windshield at the end of a crack in a perpendicular fashion in order to stop its spread. Although this may technically stop the spread of the crack in the one direction, the pressure will still be on that area. Pretty soon, you are going to see the scoring crack you made start to expand.

Consequently, the only way to obtain adequate auto glass repair in Bridgeton, MO is to take it to a qualified auto body repair shop. For folks residing in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO, Car Craft Bridgeton is just such a shop. They have many years of experience fixing the dings, dents, and glass damage triggered by hailstorms and day-to-day accidents. Do not wait on your dents to rust or your glass cracks to spread. Give them a call now and get your car repaired correctly.

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The Heat is On for Auto Body Repair

Most people understand the importance of getting your car ready for the extreme cold of winter, but drivers should also acknowledge that the high temperatures in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO may be equally bad about causing Saint Louis auto body repair. If you are not cautious, you might end up stranded on the side of the road on a sizzling hot day waiting to be towed to an auto body repair shop. Nevertheless, if you are careful, you may reduce a great deal of the worries that you might otherwise have in this regard. Therefore, Car Craft Bridgeton would like you to pay close attention to the following recommendations on how to keep your automobile running smoothly this summer.

The first thing to understand is that keeping you, your passengers, and your pets cool in the car is not optional. You should never take too lightly the power of summer heat combined with the absence of air flow within a sealed up automobile. Positively do not leave kids or pets neglected in vehicles in hot temperatures. In a number of states and towns, this is prohibited. Regardless of if that is the case where you live, it is incredibly dangerous. Even on a fairly mild summer day, warm air may build up in a car like a greenhouse. For that reason, your very first concern as a motorist should be to ensure the safety of everybody in your vehicle by keeping things cool.

Nevertheless, this is not just a concern while the automobile is not moving. Driving in cooler temperatures will make you more alert when driving. For that reason, it is a good idea to have your air conditioning system properly maintained. Always keep the coolant topped off and the cabin filter fresh if you have one. Go to a qualified auto body mechanic in Bridgeton, MO if you need to have your air conditioner checked out.

The cooling system of your car means a whole lot more than merely the air conditioning unit. The cooling system is essential for keeping your engine cool as well. If it is not working properly, you may expect severe wear at best and a total engine failure at worst. That is not a very fun thing to consider in extremely hot weather like what we see in the Saint Louis area.

You need to understand that your engine coolant is naturally going to require a marginal amount of auto repair maintenance. The very first thing that you need to check for is corroded parts. Since a lot of the cooling system is comprised of rubber parts, high temperatures will certainly cause some degree of deterioration that demands an occasional looking-after. Nevertheless, much more common is the need to change out the engine coolant or at least top it off. Check out your car's owner's manual for specifics of how frequently to switch out the coolant, but you can generally expect to have to change it every 45,000 miles or so. You may lose some coolant along the way, so open your radiator AFTER THE ENGINE HAS COOLED and have a look when you change your engine's oil.

Coolant is not the only fluid that you ought to be worried about in warm temperatures. Other fluids which serve as lubricants also cool your engine. After all, when lubricants are not present to reduce friction, you are going to see a great deal of heat produced. Along with coolant, keep your eye on the transmission fluid, power steering fluid, brake fluid, and undoubtedly motor oil. If you can keep those five fluids at the ideal level and in good condition, you will do a lot to have a smooth ride and guarantee the longevity of your engine in spite of summer temperatures.

Keep your car's battery in mind when you are considering preparing your vehicle for hot weather as well. Heat can cause your battery to progressively corrode and eventually give out altogether. Having excessive vibrations impacting the battery pile into the heat to create a perfect storm of factors to wear away your battery. While the heat factor may be a little bit out of your control, you can certainly ensure that your battery is mounted correctly to minimize vibrations. Ensure that you keep the outside of your battery clean of any battery fluid. That is a surefire one-way ticket to call for towing in Bridgeton, Missouri.

If you have been checking out these articles for any duration of time, you know fully well the importance of having your tires appropriately inflated. However, the problems are amplified exponentially whenever your tires are under-inflated in heat. Under-inflated tires have an excessive amount of contact between the tire and the road, which reduces your gas mileage and increases friction. Going at those speeds, friction is public enemy number one. You must keep your tires aired up to the level advised by your automobile's manufacturer if you intend to avoid an untimely blowout.

To be honest, none of the basic maintenance items that were suggested in this article are past the abilities of most people to do for themselves. Checking fluids and airing up tires are well within the extent of workability for most if they want to invest the knowledge, time, and labor needed to get the job done. However, the auto body repair specialists at Car Craft Bridgeton are ready and willing to assist you with all of your auto body repair and car maintenance needs. If you would like a professional opinion, if the issue is too advanced for your capabilities, or if you simply do not have the time to work it out on your own, take your vehicle to Car Craft Bridgeton for expert advice from the auto mechanics with experience and integrity.

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Helping Your Teen Avoid Auto Body Repair

It should come as no shock that teens represent a sizable percentage of the fatal car crashes in Bridgeton, MO. Nevertheless, you might not know that car crash deaths are the primary cause of fatality for teens by far. Thus, it is essential that you make it a top priority to make sure that your son or daughter stays safe on the road in those first few years of driving. In addition to ensuring the safety of your teen, you are simultaneously significantly minimizing the chance that they will make your car or truck wind up in an auto body shop in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO. The auto body repair experts at Car Craft Bridgeton see those kinds of things frequently. That is why they really want you to help your youngster keep safe on the road with these suggestions for you as a parent.

To start with, you would certainly do well to refrain from giving your youngster a danger-magnet. You were a teen once also, so you most likely know the tendency whenever a teenager gets behind the steering wheel of a sports car. You just have to test its limits. So, if you do not wish to test the limits of your car insurance, think about giving them the minivan instead. Additionally, pick an automobile with a record of safety in the case of crashes. Vehicles which are too big like trucks and SUVs have a tendency of rolling over in the unlikely event of an accident.

Next, ensure your teen has a good education. No, I am actually not talking about going to a lavish university. I am referring to taking a good driver's education course. Perhaps you would like to teach them on your own, but having a professional help has a number of perks. To start with, some states other than Missouri call for people below eighteen to take a driver's safety course in order to get a license. Second of all, professional instructors have expertise assisting new motorists that you do not have. Next of all, a number of insurance companies offer discount rates to young people who take certified driver's safety courses. Fourth and finally, it is so much easier to take some of the burden of teaching these things and pass it on to a professional . Granted, as the parent you will always have final responsibility for your teenaged daughter or son's learning in this regard, but it is nonetheless nice to get some help with this.

Another thing to bear in mind is the kind of example you set for your youngsters whenever you drive. By the time you have teenaged offspring, you are probably pretty set in your ways whenever it pertains to driving. Nevertheless, if the ways you are set in could guide your teenager to make poor driving choices and end up needing a significant amount of paintless dent repair or even worse, think about attempting to change your ways. That means you ought to refrain from doing things like texting and driving, drinking and driving, or neglecting to put on a seatbelt.

Lastly, have a strong talk with your adolescent regarding the importance of doing safe driving practices. Teenagers are particularly prone to diversions when driving. That means teens should not be doing things like eating, messing with the CD player, or talking on the phone while driving a vehicle. That also indicates that you should tell them to not be a distraction while they are riding as a passenger in their friend's car.

Ultimately, your child's safety on the road will be established largely by how you prepare them, talk to them, and set the example for them. People like the folks at Car Craft Bridgeton understand firsthand what occurs whenever young people do dangerous things on the road. If you want to avoid being roped into that mess of auto body repair, step up and be a part of your child's driving experience. If you do find yourself in need of accident repair, considering going to Car Craft Bridgeton for an auto body estimate.

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From Gas To Cash

Whether you hardly ever hit the trail or you devote several hours on a daily basis navigating the hectic roadways of Bridgeton, Missouri, auto maintenance and some good habits could put a bunch of gas money back in your wallet. Fuel efficiency is not established strictly by the make and model of your vehicle. People of Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO would do well to utilize these little tips offered by the auto body pros at Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO. With only minimal effort, most drivers can significantly minimize the fuel line on their budget plan.

First, you really should build a foundation of good driving habits to boost your gas mileage. Driving a vehicle with the distinctive abrupt starting and stopping of aggressive drivers is among the major ways to squander gasoline. Take your time and aim to anticipate stops so you can glide into them rather than stopping abruptly. Likewise, do not press the gas like a horse fresh out of the gate and you may see your fuel efficiency increase by as much as fifty percent according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Another thing to think about is the advantages of actually going the speed limit. Did you know that moving too fast can burn up gas as well. Whenever you are traveling over fifty miles per hour, your fuel efficiency declines the faster you go.

Another driving habit which could save you some fuel money is purposing yourself to the avoidance of traffic. It stands to reason that you will be losing gas if you are sitting in traffic but the engine is running. Obviously, you can stay clear of excess gas expense by steering clear of traffic. High-pressure traffic may also be the cause of avoidable auto body damage in Bridgeton, Missouri too. Consider asking to have your work schedule adapted to let you drive in off-hours or get to the area where you work earlier and stop for breakfast or a workout session at the gym.

If you want to get extreme about decreasing your gas expense, avoid making use of the air conditioning and the heating system unless positively necessary. You would be amazed by just how much you can save. There is no clear evidence about whether or not windows down or Air Conditioning spares you more money when you are aiming to cool down your car, but either one will certainly reduce your fuel efficiency. Being too fast to speed up when going up hills can also lower gas mileage. Be content to slow down a little bit on your way up a hill and you could see amazing financial savings.

There is a huge misconception going around concerning fuel efficiency that the pros at Car Craft Bridgeton are all too pleased to unshroud. Premium fuel is a complete waste of money. Despite what the gas companies might say to you, there is basically no distinction between the premium stuff and the normal stuff. Do not fall for this fraud. The "additives" in premium gasoline are essentially identical to the additives to normal gasoline.

In addition to the behavioral changes that you can make to boost your gas mileage, there are also some mechanical changes that could have an equally impressive effect. If you have read through just about anything else on this site, you are no stranger to the advantages of having tires with the proper level of inflation. Both under-inflated and over-inflated tires may be bad for the life of your tires, for your gas mileage, and for the traction you need to stay safe on the road. In a similar way, having tires that are out of alignment can decrease fuel efficiency and wear your tires quicker. Since tires are literally "where the rubber meets the road," it ought to come as no surprise that having them in first-class shape is completely essential. If you are having any tire issues with your tires, Car Craft Bridgeton would be pleased to assist you with tire alignment or any other problem. Tires are not the only faculty in your vehicle with the capability of slowing you down. Not changing your oil on a regular basis can cause friction, decrease gas mileage, and inevitably totally destroy your engine. While having excess weight on your car will not have that dramatic of an effect, getting rid of things such as luggage racks and trunk junk can definitely boost your fuel economy.

No matter the make and model of your automobile, the power to increase gas mileage is ultimately in your hands. Unfortunately, almost any compromises in your car's performance can inevitably lead to a decrease in gas mileage. Therefore, it is crucial for you to keep your car properly maintained. That is why Car Craft Bridgeton is here for the people of Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO. Give them a call today and see how they can help you put more gas cash back in your pocket.

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Regular Maintenance to Avoid Summer Auto Body Repair

As folks of Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO make the seemingly spontaneous shift from wintertime to spring and from spring to summertime, it is almost like everybody's complete frame of mind changes. Windows are opened, barbeque grills are roused, and lawns are trimmed. However, there is one crucial component of this seasonal change that tons of people forget: getting their vehicle prepared for hot weather. The best thing to do is to take your car to a trained auto mechanic in Bridgeton, MO that you trust and have them look things over. Specifically, there are a number of things to look for to guarantee optimal vehicular performance for the coming summer.

The first thing that you have to do to guarantee the proper function of your vehicle is to have the tires checked out. After all, no matter how good your brakes are, worn-out tires will make braking very difficult and hazardous. The rapid change in high and low pressure systems makes it urgent that you examine the air pressure in your car often throughout the transition period between winter and summertime. Making sure that the tires are blown up to the recommendation given on the sticker that you see when you open up the driver's door will enhance your average gas mileage by a significant amount and make certain that the tires do not wear too early.

Making sure that your tires have sufficient tread is likewise a good idea . Naturally, the best way to inspect the tread on your tires is with the traditional penny test. Simply stick the penny in the tread in several different places on the tire. Make sure that Lincoln's head is going in the direction of the tire. If Lincoln's head hits the tire, your tires have adequate tread. If the top of Lincoln's head isn't going to touch the tire, you ought to get better tires.

When your tires are well cared for, make sure that the brakes are also in good condition. Not surprisingly, winter driving conditions can easily cause a great deal of corrosion on brake components, especially if you have an anti-lock braking system. Ensure that your Bridgeton, Missouri mechanic of choice takes a very good look at your brakes to ensure that you are safe as you drive around this summer. The mechanics at Car Craft Bridgeton understands the amount of devastation can ensue if your brakes go out at an inconvenient time.

Winter weather can also have a really adverse impact on the belts and hoses on your automobile. Winter weather may cause even the heavy-duty rubber of these essential components to corrode. Check for cracking, peeling, and unusual softening. You do not want to be going on a big road trip this summer and have the unfortunate surprise of a broken belt or hose. Those problems can result in something as bad as an overheated engine.

It is most likely not a surprise to you that testing the a/c unit is an integral part of preparing for warmer temperatures. Fortunately, testing your air conditioner is no hard job. Just crank up the AC as high as possible and ensure the air gets cold with relative quickness. If it does not, state that to the auto mechanic when you take it in. It may be that something is broken or maybe you simply need to add some more coolant to it.

On a more crucial note, make sure that you have the battery tested as well. Winter weather can reek havoc on your automobile's battery, so inspect your battery for any signs of wear. Affiliated parts like the starter and alternator may also be impacted. When you have that done, you are well on your way to getting your ride ready for summer driving. If you have any inquiries regarding car maintenance or you want a professional to have your car looked over, consider visiting Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO. They offer the car repair expertise you need to get back on the road in no time.

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Tire’d of Auto Body Repair

Let’s admit it: your car’s tires take lots of punishment. Particularly if you spend lots of time driving around Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO, you will need to take good care of your wheels’ rubber companions. To do that, you should be aware of the many things that can go wrong with your tires. That is why Car Craft Bridgeton has this listing of prevalent tire issues assembled for you. Remember, these suggestions could keep you from being trapped along the side of the road, or even worse, in a car body shop.

Sharp objects are throughout the roads in the St. Louis region. If you drive around long enough, you're sure to have a chuck of metal or wood, a nail, a screw, or something else like that puncturing a tire. I remember a time several years ago when a guy I knew got the business end of a bungee cord rammed into one of his tires. That wasn't an enjoyable experience. In any case, many tire punctures may be fixed with a plug or patch. Still, ones which are larger than a quarter-inch probably will be unable to have that done safely. If you do get something stuck in your tire, evaluate the situation to find out if you can make it to a car body repair shop before the tire deflates to an unsafe level. If so, get to a shop as quickly as possible and don't take out the obstruction yourself. If the tire will be deflated or already is deflated, go ahead and put on the spare tire.

Speaking of deflated tires, do not allow overinflated or underinflated tires put you in need of Bridgeton, MO towing assistance. Clearly, underinflated tires may result in troubles with rolling resistance which will put additional wear on the vehicle and decrease your gas mileage. Still, overinflated tires can be equally bad or worse. Overinflated tires wear a lot quicker and are at a greater risk of being punctured. If you don't want your tires to be overinflated or underinflated, there are several things that you can do. Buy a tire pressure gauge and depend on that rather than eyeballing it. Find your car’s optimal tire pressure by taking a look at the sticker around the combing of your driver’s side door. Check your tire pressure very often, at least once per month.

As was previously mentioned, you don't want your tires to wear unevenly. That always indicates that there is some sort of problem that needs to be looked after. If it is not the inflation of the tires, there is a distinct probability that it could be a problem with the belt or suspension system. Another very common culprit in this regard is improper wheel alignment. If you take a bump in the road too hard, you might also create a bulge or bubble in the tire. Whatever the case, do not let uneven tire wear take its toll on your vehicle.

On the topic of tire tread, it's worth mentioning that even the most well-cared for tires will wear down at some point. That means it's on you to check the tread frequently to make certain that your vehicle can retain the traction it needs to stop quickly and avoid a car wreck. Fortunately, there is a very easy test that anybody can perform to check the adequacy of their tire tread. It does not take any fancy equipment or tools, you just need a penny. Just stick the penny in a groove of your tire with Lincoln’s head facing the center of the tire. If Lincoln’s head touches the tread, you need to get some new tires.

Clearly, these important rubber components of your car won't always bounce back if they're not looked after properly. Nevertheless, a cautious eye and a little bit of regular care can keep your car rolling for lots of miles to come. If you have any questions on this crucial subject of vehicle repair and maintenance, Bridgeton, MO can depend on Car Craft Bridgeton to have the answers.

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A Three-Pronged Attack On Winter Auto Body Repair

Sometimes when you are driving on the stressful streets of Bridgeton, MO in wintertime, it could feel as if you are in a war zone. Automobile accidents and the evidence of them is strewn all over the roadways, motorists are stuck or have all kinds of car dent damage, and folks are sliding everywhere like they are messing around at the ice rink. Clearly, the best thing that can be done to endure out there is to possess a solid strategy. That’s the reason why Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, Missouri has developed this strong winter driving three-pronged attack plan to keep you out of the auto body shop this winter.

Prepare For The Assault

The first thing that any military tactician will tell you to do if you're about to face a formidable foe is to be fully prepared for battle. The challenge of safe winter driving is the same. Having your automobile completely free from snow and ice is a fantastic method of doing that. If you do not have a garage, you probably will struggle with this the most. Not surprisingly, who will want to waste time in the morning before work by standing out in the cold wiping off the windshield and all of the other windows? Despite those logical reservations, visibility is too important to dismiss. If you don't see that car in your side mirror, you may accidently get in a car accident with them and swiftly find yourself in a Bridgeton, MO auto body repair shop.

One other way to prepare for battle is to make sure that your automobile is in good working order before you decide to set out. If you're in need of auto body repair, get that dealt with beforehand. Also, make certain that your headlights are not foggy, If they are, you can go to Car Craft Bridgeton for headlight restoration services. It may not seem like a big deal, but any preexisting damage to your vehicle may put you at a disadvantage on the road.

Stay In Formation

Once you have gone to all of the trouble of preparing your car for battle, you probably will want to race to reach work or school or wherever you're going. However, that is a bad idea with roads which could have snow or ice on them. Rather, you should take it slow and stay alert. With roadways that are demonstrably icy in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO, you ought to be comfortably beneath the speed limit. Be very vigilant in high-risk areas that freeze rapidly, such as bridges and underpasses. Don't use cruise control on winter roadways either. Something else to take into consideration is the other vehicles. If an automobile is driving ahead of you, stay really far back from them. The more reaction time you have whenever they skid or try to stop, the better.

On the subject of skidding, you need to know how to react in the event of skidding to avoid unnecessary dent damage or worse. There are many strategies to use, based on the particular situation. For example, if your rear tires slip, you'll want to do the following:

Stop pushing on the accelerator

Steer in the direction that you wish for the vehicle to go to straighten out. For instance, if your back wheels are slipping to the right, steer to the right. If the rear of the automobile is slipping to the left, turn the wheel left.

In some cases, the rear wheels will overcompensate and start sliding to the other side. If that happens, ease the steering wheel to that side. Dependent on how slick the roads are and how fast you were going, you may need to steer back and forth several times to regain control.

The next thing is to push on the brakes. However, there's two divergent methods here. If you have anti-lock brakes, just press gently. Do not pump them. However, if you've got standard brakes, pump the brakes gently until you've got the vehicle under control.

The strategy for controlling your car if the front tires begin to slip is less difficult to remember:

Stop pushing on the accelerator and switch to neutral.

Rather than trying to direct the vehicle, let the tires skid sideways. That is going to slow the car down, which is undoubtedly what you need.

When you feel the vehicle slow down to a manageable level, steer the automobile until you have control and shift back to drive.

Have A Backup Plan

The third prong of the three-prong strategy is to have a backup plan in position in case you get into an auto accident or slide off of the road. Have a war chest of essentials to help you get rolling again if you become stuck. Items that might serve you well include sand or kitty litter for traction, a foldable shovel to dig yourself out, an ice scraper, reflective triangles so that other vehicles can see you, and a cleaning solution for your auto glass.

A survival pack might also come in handy if you find yourself stranded behind enemy lines. Put items in it like winter clothing, flashlights with batteries, extra cell phone batteries, matches, rope or ratchet straps, and a well-equipped first aid kit.

Many Florissant, MO car accidents happen because of the dread enemy called winter weather. Believe me, we at Car Craft Bridgeton have seen quite a few cars roll through our auto body shop because of slick winter roads. Not all winter is a wonderland. If you would like face the roads head-on, use these tips to help you have the advantage. If you find yourself in need of towing or auto body repair, use Car Craft Bridgeton to get the repair work done fast, correct, and affordable.

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Prepare To Be Towed On Snowy Roads

Each year, on average, more than 6,000 people are killed and more than 480,000 are hurt due to weather-related vehicle crashes. If you need to drive in snow or cold temperatures, the greatest thing that you may be equipped with is information. That is why Car Craft Bridgeton would like the people of Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO to be prepared. Go slow in the snow. Black ice can be tough to see. If the temperature is near freezing, drive like you’re on ice because you may be on ice!

Prior to leaving the house, particularly before a lengthier trip in winter, ensure all fluid levels are full and ensure that the lights, heater, and windshield wipers in proper condition. Keep your gas tank near full to avoid ice in the tank and fuel lines. Avoid traveling alone. Let someone know your timetable and primary and alternate routes. Then call 511 for the most recent traffic and road incidents, including construction and weather conditions and restrictions. Every state offers this Department of Transportation service. Call before you leave, it may change your plans!

Fully check and winterize your vehicle before the winter season begins. Carry a winter storm survival kit which includes the following:

Mobile phone, charger, batteries

Blankets/sleeping bags

Flashlight with additional batteries

First aid kit

Knife

High-calorie, non-perishable food

Extra clothing to keep dry

Large empty can to use as emergency toilet, tissues, and paper towels for hygienic purposes

Small can and waterproof matches to melt snow for drinking water

Sack of sand or cat litter for traction

Shovel

Windshield scraper and brush

Tool kit

Tow rope

Battery booster cables

Water container

Candle and matches to provide light in a crisis and lifesaving heat.

Compass and road maps, do not rely on mobile devices with limited battery life.

If you have to drive through a storm, consider the following precautions:

Slow down! Even if the roads simply look wet they may still be slick. More than 6,000 fatalities occur on the roads each year on account of weather conditions, to say nothing of the large volumes of auto body accidents that can cause dent damage to Bridgeton, MO cars.

Ensure that your automobile is perfectly clear of ice or snow prior to starting the trip. Flying snow from cars causes car accidents.

Let someone know where you are going and what road you will take. If anything happens, this person will know where to start a search.

Try not to leave the house without a completely charged mobile phone and car charger and an emergency supplies pack in your vehicle.

If you're driving and begin to skid, remain calm, ease your foot off of the gas, and turn your wheels in the direction you would like the front of the vehicle to go. If you've got an anti-lock braking system (ABS), apply consistent pressure to the brake pedal. Never pump the brakes on an ABS-equipped vehicle.

If you're having problems seeing because of weather conditions, pull over to the side of the road and stop your automobile until visibility improves. Switch off your lights and use your parking break when stopped so that another vehicle will not wrongly follow your tail/brake lights and wind up striking you.

If your car gets stuck during a storm:

Remain in the vehicle! If you leave your vehicle, you are going to become disoriented rapidly in wind-driven snow and cold. Run the motor about 10 minutes each hour for heat. While running the motor, open the window a bit for fresh air in order to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Clear snow from the exhaust pipe to prevent gas poisoning.

Be obvious to rescuers. Turn on the dome light at night when running the engine. Tie a vibrant cloth, ideally red, to your antenna or door. After snow stops falling, raise the hood to indicate you need assistance.

Never underestimate the power of Mother Nature to leave you in a bad spot. Be prepared to deal with situations such as extreme winter weather while you’re on the road. If you wish to avoid an auto body accident in the St. Louis, MO area, you'd do well to follow these tips. If you're ever getting into a car crash, consider going to Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Graphic and information courtesy of National Weather Service.

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The Black Menace of Auto Body Repair

All right, maybe "The Black Menace of Auto Body Repair" is putting things slightly dramatically. Still, drivers in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO should not overlook that black ice often forms during the winter and early spring, and it is certainly something to beware of. It can be almost impossible to recognize if you do not know what you're searching for from the get-go. It does not even have to be raining or snowing for a patch of black ice to find its way beneath your tire tread if there's snow around. This is simply because melting snow can trickle onto the road and cause black ice to develop. Even dew that has built up on the road overnight could form black ice in many cases. Unmistakably, black ice may be anywhere on a cool winter day. That means it's up to you, the driver, to be cautious and take the steps needed so you do not wind up making an unforeseen trip to a Bridgeton, Missouri auto body shop.

Black ice is not only ubiquitous; it is exceptionally hazardous as well. Because it is so hard to see coming, it could very easily take someone by surprise. Additionally, many experts on winter driving safety and the majority of auto body mechanics will concur that black ice is among the most lethal of winter hazards. If you wish to stay clear of this clear killer, keep reading. These tips from Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO will give you the tools you'll need to be ready for black ice.

As previously mentioned, black ice is really not easy to see. Nevertheless, there are several ways in which you can detect it. First, patches of black ice will normally have the appearance of wetness, which often can look like newly-paved concrete on the road. Some locations that black ice generally appears includes in the shade, bridges, low-lying places where water from melting snow may run, and locations where other vehicles already have slide off the road. If the road looks wet, look at the tires of the automobile in front of you to determine if they are throwing spray into the air. If they are not, there may be black ice. However, to be realistic, you will need to assume that black ice might be anywhere if the temperature is below 38 to forty degrees.

If you'd like to avoid the Bridgeton, MO auto body damage that is included with black ice crashes, simply use a little bit of common sense. Most importantly, slow up and keep that seatbelt on. Driving more slowly will give you better traction and more reaction time. As a result, the easiest way to stay away from the temptation of speeding up is to budget more time to get wherever you're going. Additionally, don't use cruise control. You'll want to be fully in control when you are driving your car on winter roads.

I wish that I could show you exactly how to react if you encounter black ice, but I am unable to because I don't know what kind of car you drive. The most effective way for you to understand what to do is to become acquainted with your vehicle in order to be ready if and when the time arises. You can do this by reading the vehicle owner’s manual where it discusses the braking system. You can even go to a wide open area in Bridgeton, Missouri such as a parking lot when there is snow and ice to practice your slippery driving maneuvers.

Keep your focus ahead of the imminent in order to have more time to react if something comes up. Keeping 3 to 4 car-lengths from the vehicle ahead of you will also allow you to have additional time to react in an emergency situation. Use your headlights to increase visibility for you and for the cars near you. Even though the Christmas season means very long car trips for plenty of families, avoid driving for too long so you can stay sharp. Keep control of your vehicle by avoiding unnecessary abrupt motions.

Bridgeton, Missouri auto body shops see many automobiles every year because people got sidetracked or forgot to take the extra precautions required to guarantee a safe trip. If you have ever gotten into an auto body accident because of black ice, you can definitely verify this fact. Though I really hope these tips have helped you tremendously, black ice can still cause auto body damage to your vehicle. Should that be the case, think about taking it to Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, Missouri.

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Tips For Driving On Snow and Ice

Whenever the streets get slick and you have someplace to be, you should know of these safe driving guidelines that could mean the distinction between a problem-free arrival and a sudden detour to a Bridgeton, MO auto body shop. Car Craft Bridgeton is glad to offer you these pointers to help you stay safe this winter.

Driving Safely On Icy Roads

Reduce your speed and leave yourself lots of space to stop. You should leave at least three times more room than usual between you and the car ahead of you.

Brake lightly to prevent skidding. If your wheels begin to lock up, ease off the brake.

Turn on your lights to increase your visibility to other motorists.

Keep your lights and car windows clean.

Utilize low gears to maintain traction, particularly on hills.

Don't utilize cruise control or overdrive on icy roadways.

Be particularly careful on bridges, overpasses, and seldom traveled roads, which will freeze first. Even at temperatures above freezing, if the conditions are wet you may come across ice in shady areas or on exposed roadways like bridges.

Do not pass snow plows and sanding trucks. The drivers don't have a lot of visibility and you're likely to find the road in front of them worse than the road behind.

Do not presume your vehicle can handle all conditions. Even four-wheel and front-wheel drive automobiles can wind up having to get tow assistance on winter roadways.

If Your Rear Tires Skid

Take your foot off the accelerator.

Steer in the direction you would like the front wheels to go. If your back tires are sliding left, steer left. If they're gliding right, steer right.

If your rear wheels start sliding the other way as you recover, ease the steering wheel toward that side. You might have to steer left and right a few times to get the car entirely under control.

Should you have standard brakes, pump them softly.

Should you have anti-lock brakes (ABS), do not pump the brakes. Apply steady pressure to the brakes. You will feel the brakes pulse - this is normal.

If Your Front Wheels Skid

Take your foot off the gas and switch to neutral, but don't try to steer immediately.

As the wheels skid sideways, they'll slow the vehicle and traction will return. As it does, steer in the direction you wish to go. Then put the transmission in "drive" or release the clutch, and accelerate gently.

If You Get Stuck

Don't spin your wheels. This will just dig you in deeper.

Turn your wheels from side to side a couple of times to push snow out of the way.

Utilize a light touch on the gas, to help ease the car out.

Utilize a shovel to clear snow from the wheels and the bottom of the car.

Pour sand, kitty litter, gravel, or salt in the path of the tires to help get traction.

Try rocking the car. (Look at your owner's manual first - it can harm the transmission on some automobiles.) Shift from forward to reverse, and back again. Each time you're in gear, give a light touch on the gas until the car gets going.

There are a lot of do’s and don’t’s with regards to winter driving safety. Bridgeton, Missouri collision repair is definitely a common thing. In fact, you would be surprised how many motorists in Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO wind up wishing that they'd never pulled out of their driveways. If this is you and you need someone to help you repair your vehicle, check out Car Craft Bridgeton.

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Three Ways To Keep Your Snow-Covered Car Out Of An Auto Body Shop

There is no question about it: winter does not love your vehicle as much as you do. The fact is, sometimes it may seem like Ol’ Man Winter is dumping several inches of fresh powder on Florissant, Maryland Heights, St. Louis County, and Bridgeton, MO just to spite you. However, there are definitely a variety of ways in which you can keep your vehicle protected from auto body dents, scratches, and even worse with these winter driving safety tips from Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, Missouri.

Increase Visibility By Clearing Your Windshield

Maybe you are in a rush. Maybe you are feeling lazy. Maybe it is just too cold. Regardless of what excuse you may have, don't sacrifice visibility by not clearing off your windshield before you pull out of your driveway. Even if you just halfway clear it off, you are putting yourself, your passengers, and the folks in other vehicles at a significant risk. When roadways are slick you need to have as much visibility as you possibly can to increase your reaction time to the greatest possible extent.

When you do clear off your windshield, there's certainly a right and wrong way to do it. The first step is to start up your car and fire up the defrosters to start melting the ice from the inside. Additionally, this will get your vehicle all toasty warm for as soon as you jump in afterwards. As soon as the defrosters are doing their thing, utilize your handy-dandy plastic ice scraper with brush to clear off all the snow and ice. Do not use anything with metal on it since you do not want to run the risk of accidently scraping your windshield along with the ice.

There are some more “Don’t’s” to bear in mind too. First, do not try to speed up the process by throwing hot water onto your windshield. I could go into all the difficult science behind it, but suffice it to say that you can expect to most likely find yourself with a shattered windshield. Cold glass and sudden heat do not mix. Next, do not attempt to utilize the shortcut of having your windshield wipers clear off snow instead of brushing it by hand. Wipers are generally not created to handle the sort of stress that heavy snow can be, and it certainly can’t do something to ice. You can find special snow-ready wipers you can purchase at the store, and these are generally a great investment. However, they still cannot be trusted to clear away massive amounts of snow left on your vehicle overnight.

Get Your Vehicle Prepared To Battle The Elements By Clearing Off Other Snow And Ice

Once your windshield is clear, you're still not ready to hit the road just yet. You need to clear away the snow and ice from the remainder of the vehicle. You cannot just pull out and let pieces of snow and ice fly out at the cars behind you. Whenever you are clearing off the snow and ice, the very first thing to do is pick the right instrument. Nobody likes to have scrapes in their auto body. That's the reason the good thing to do is to utilize a specialized snow removal brush like those which are generally attached to your ice scraper. Absolutely do not pull out a shovel and just go at it. If you do, you will probably be making a visit to a Bridgeton, MO auto body shop sometime in the future.

The next thing to take into consideration with auto body snow and ice removal is the specific locations to de-ice. The main things that people frequently forget include the mirrors, headlights, license plates, side and rear windows, and the tailpipe. Believe me, you certainly need to make sure that your tailpipe is free of snow and ice because that's where hazardous deadly carbon monoxide gas leaves your automobile. Always brush off the roof of your automobile too. That is more a courtesy to the other automobiles than anything else. No one wants to have an avalanche fall on their windshield while they are going down the highway. Also, your wheels and bumpers ought to be free of any snow before you decide to pull forward. That is the best way to get a smooth start (but not too smooth) when you get going.

Drive Slow And Smart To Stay Safe

When you are inside your vehicle that's been freshly liberated from snow and ice, you are ready to get going. However, you still must take several steps to stay safe whenever you are traveling in slick, icy conditions. The first and most important rule is to slow down significantly whenever traveling in icy conditions. In normal circumstances, it is best to leave around two to three seconds of space in between you and the automobile in front of you. In snowy conditions, it is best to leave eight or ten seconds between you and the automobile in front of you. Obviously, you cannot understate the importance of going slowly when you are traveling on wintry roadways.

Should you begin to skid while driving, keep calm and make smart decisions. Be sure you avoid panicking, slamming on the brakes abruptly, or making any other abrupt moves. Simply take your foot off of the gas pedal, steer your vehicle in the direction that you want to travel in, and let the skid take its course. Quickly, your motor vehicle will recover traction and you will start moving normally again. If you don't feel confident in these simple techniques, the best thing you can do is practice it. Find a big open area like a parking lot at a store or a school on a non-school day and deliberately skid your vehicle so you can practice regaining control of it. If you do not go crazy with it, this can be a very beneficial exercise for you.

If you get stuck for any reason, you should be careful what you do to get out of it. Needless to say, your first impulse is to slam on the gas. Regrettably, spinning your wheels will most likely do you no good. In fact, you will actually dig a deeper hole for yourself and most likely mess up your tires. What you actually must do is clear out all of the snow around your tires and scatter a lot of sand, salt, or kitty litter around the tires to give yourself some traction. Direct your tires out of the snow and towards solid ground. If you follow that easy process, you should be able to get back on track without any problem.

Whenever the snow falls and the roads freeze, the very best course of action is to remain inside and wait it out. Nevertheless, there are occasions for the majority of motorists where this is just not practical. Using some common sense and these easy tips are the easiest way to keep safe on the road. If something goes wrong and you get into an auto wreck, there are lots of decisions you will have to make. I really hope that you will give consideration to taking your car to Car Craft Bridgeton in Bridgeton, MO. They've got the tools and experience that you need to help you get right back on the road at the earliest opportunity.